Islamic (pre-colonial) states are now less developed
- with higher infant mortality, less education, fewer nightlights.
Why is this?
Less education was provided by missionaries
Lower colonial state penetration, so weaker admin capacity.
sciencedirect.com @melinaplatas
- with higher infant mortality, less education, fewer nightlights.
Why is this?
Less education was provided by missionaries
Lower colonial state penetration, so weaker admin capacity.
sciencedirect.com @melinaplatas
Imperialists anticipated that missionaries in areas under Islamic rule would cause backlash, so often prohibited them
Eg: Northern Nigeria & Sudan
Missionaries were also quite unsuccessful in Muslim states, so tended to give up trying.
Eg: Northern Nigeria & Sudan
Missionaries were also quite unsuccessful in Muslim states, so tended to give up trying.
Areas under Islamic rule thus received lower missionary investment in education.
Muslim elites were also shielded from competition, so had less pressure to improve service provision.
Muslim elites were also shielded from competition, so had less pressure to improve service provision.
Colonial penetration and development of administrative capacity was weaker in areas under Islamic rule
Colonial authorities often revered Islamic institutions as superior to traditional religions, and were thus less interventionist.
Colonial authorities often revered Islamic institutions as superior to traditional religions, and were thus less interventionist.
Almost none of the colonial capitals in Sub-Saharan Africa were located in Islamic kingdoms.
Colonial authorities were more likely to settle in places that were prosperous in the pre-colonial period, unless they were hostile
Islamic states were especially hostile
Hence French imperialists concentrated investments along the coast (not inland) (Huillary 2010).
Islamic states were especially hostile
Hence French imperialists concentrated investments along the coast (not inland) (Huillary 2010).
All coastal states in West Africa now have capitals on the coast.
Dakar is on the coast, far from Islamic kingdoms.
(Even though in the pre-colonial period there were centralised states in the interior)
Dakar is on the coast, far from Islamic kingdoms.
(Even though in the pre-colonial period there were centralised states in the interior)
In East Africa by contrast,
Islamic influence was coastal
Capitals of British territories were established inland (eg Nairobi)
Islamic influence was coastal
Capitals of British territories were established inland (eg Nairobi)
Islamic states thus had weaker colonial state penetration, weaker administrative capacity, and fewer bureaucrats with secular education.
But what about settler mortality?
Well, Islamic and non-Islamic states actually seem to score similarly for malariaโฆ
In 1800, population density was slightly higher in Islamic kingdoms. This suggests a reversal of fortunes.
Well, Islamic and non-Islamic states actually seem to score similarly for malariaโฆ
In 1800, population density was slightly higher in Islamic kingdoms. This suggests a reversal of fortunes.
You may disagree with their explanation
But the correlation is striking!
The authors are Bauer, @melinaplatas & Weinsten
But the correlation is striking!
The authors are Bauer, @melinaplatas & Weinsten
@melinaplatas congratulations! This is superbly well done. I know the Nigerian case quite well and itโs certainly consistent with everything Iโve read.
Loading suggestions...